Apple TV Ted Lasso referenced Anthony Head’s villainous Rupert Mannion character several times in Season 4 and paid tribute to the actor, who died June 1 at the age of 72, with an “In Memoriam” card in Episode 409. But there could have been more, according to Ted Lasso co-creator, executive producer and star Brendan Hunt.
“We had an outside hope of bringing him back in the final episode,” he said of the possibility of introducing Head in the Season 4 finale, which he co-wrote with his colleagues. Ted Lasso co-creator, executive producer and star Jason Sudeikis. “We were told it wasn’t going to be possible. So yeah, we had an idea but it wasn’t going to happen.”
Head’s health problems before his death from complications related to pneumonia have not been made public.
“I thought he would be in this last (season) and I didn’t know, as I think very few people knew, that he was sick and just couldn’t do it,” Annette Badland, who played Mae on the show, told Deadline last week.
Rupert’s season 4 story arc began in episode 8 when he was suspected of secretly buying up shares in AFC Richmond in a bid to regain control of the football club from his ex-wife Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). At the end of episode 9, it was revealed that the culprit was Rebecca’s supposed ally and supporter of the Richmond women’s team, Zelda (Tracey Ullman).
Head would have likely appeared in the finale’s shareholder meeting confrontation scene.
RELATED: ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Finale Recap: The Season Finale and a Shareholder Showdown
Since production on season 4 ended before Head’s death, will his character Rupert die as well? Ted Lasso in season 5 according to a legendary television tradition? (Ted Lasso has not yet been renewed, but this is expected shortly.)
“I don’t know,” Hunt said. “I mean, he didn’t make it until after he shot the whole thing, so we’ll have to figure out when and if we get the chance to get together again.”
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